Recipe Details
Spicy Cajun Chicken & Sausage Fettuccine
Easy Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
First, prep your pasta base: Fill a large stock pot with lightly salted water, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the fettuccine to the boiling water, and cook it for 1 minute less than the cook time printed on your pasta package — this typically equals around 7 minutes of total cook time. Drain the cooked pasta (do not rinse it, as rinsing removes starch that helps sauce stick) and set it aside. Before you finish draining, be sure to reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water for later.
While waiting for your water to boil and pasta to cook, prep your savory filling components. Season your chicken evenly with 1 tablespoon of Cajun spice, then set it aside. In a separate medium bowl, combine the sliced sausage, bell pepper, onion, and garlic, then season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Stir to fully blend everything, then set the bowl aside.
Place a large skillet or wok on the stovetop, and preheat it to medium-high heat. Add your choice of cooking oil and let it warm through.
Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet first. Cook, stirring frequently, until there is no visible pink left in the center, which takes roughly 5 minutes. Next, add your entire bowl of sausage and vegetable mix to the pan. Keep cooking, stirring often, until the sausage starts to develop golden brown edges and the vegetables soften, around another 5 minutes.
Pour in the chicken stock, pizza sauce, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until all ingredients are fully combined and the sauce thickens slightly. Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet, then use tongs to toss everything thoroughly to coat every strand of pasta in sauce. If your sauce feels too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved starchy pasta water to loosen it.
Divide the finished pasta into large wide bowls or plates, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately while hot.